Topic: Used Vehicle Review: BMW 3 Series, 2006-2011

[HeliDriver]

Since I have owned 14 of them, and have the 15th on order...

Did I miss a thread? New 1-Series M Coupe, I hope? 

[sidman]

I know someone that just paid $31K for a new 323i.  Sure, it's a base car, but that seems like a lot of sweet RWD machine for the money.  15 years ago that would have been an awesome price...

Tell me how he got this deal! The 323i MRSP is 37.6k.

IMHO, BMWs are overrated and overpriced. If I'm spending 40k, I want something with more than 200hp 180lb/ft. For the money, BMW offers no value.

Regarding the handling and all that, your going to tell me a BMW 3 series is that much better than its competition (G37, A4) when your driving it on the street? Your paying for the name and marketing.

[Triple Bob]

Not the G, but it will definitely handle much better than an A4.

[vdk]

Not the G, but it will definitely handle much better than an A4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uULudWLWFP0


And the 2009 335i is a twin turbo which makes more power than the 2010+ twinscroll (1) turbo engine.

[Flinter]

I think this article was a balanced and fair assessment of the 3-series. However, if I were buying a pre-owned car in this segment, the Infiniti G and Lexus IS would be at the top of my list. Both are very good drivers cars with better than average reliability records.

That said, there are a lot of great cars in this segment and I wouldn't turn-up my nose at anyone choosing an Infiniti G, BMW 3 series, Audi A4/S4, Lexus IS, or a MB C class. They are all exceptional cars, and I would be proud to own either.

Based on some of the comment's I've read in this thread, I have to say that IMHO the only thing as lame as buying a BMW based on badge appeal and bragging rights is eliminating a BMW from your consideration because you perceive some elitist snobby image associated with the brand. 

Test drive the cars you are considering, research the reliability ratings and choose the one you desire most.   

[Sasker]

I had an AWD, manual 328 wagon for a few days a while ago. I liked the clutch, but the shifter was not as nice as an Acura product. The drive was somewhat better than a 1st Gen TSX, but the price was way higher. The main selling point for me was that it is pretty much the only luxury wagon still offered with a manual transmission

 Overall I wasn't impressed. I don't think BMWs are worth their asking price. I am also weary of their low reliability scores, so a used BMW isn't very attractive to me.

[rrocket]

^^NOBODY'S shifter is as nice as Acura....

[vdk]

Agreed Honda makes some kick-ass shifters.

[lebowski]

 

As I've mentioned before elsewhere, the 3 best handling, fun cars that I've driven, were an older Honda Prelude, a Lotus Elise, and a Subaru Impreza RS (I had a WRX but it understeered too much among other things to be truly fun on most days). I truly enjoyed driving those (in a very sporting manner) more than the M3 and 325is, my only 3 series experiences to date. Maybe those cars aren't on anyone else's favourites list, but please avoid the "if you're not a BMW fan, you're not a driving fan" line of reasoning. Then we can all just get along...

My 2 cents.

I think it just depends on what you're looking for: if you want a fun sports car, then I agree there are better choices than a 335 coupe or even an M3, because those aren't sports cars. But for an all-rounder RWD sedan that is well-built, fun to drive and can carry 4 people in comfort, the list is very, very short.

[Spheric]

Unfortunately the Ultimate Driving Machines suffer from an image problem, which is absolutely not a fault of the car. We do get that image rammed down our throats by car magazines (and how many of you journalists own these things by the way? Should be nearly all of you!), then when I head off down my street I see a cavalcade of them driven by middle aged women going under the speed limit. Of course that has nothing to do with the car, but the contradiction between the marketing hype and the reality on the road is very glaring to many people.

opg210

^ ^ ^
haha...quote of the day me thinks.  A most inciteful insight. 

[greengs]

I know someone that just paid $31K for a new 323i.  Sure, it's a base car, but that seems like a lot of sweet RWD machine for the money.  15 years ago that would have been an awesome price...

Tell me how he got this deal! The 323i MRSP is 37.6k.

IMHO, BMWs are overrated and overpriced. If I'm spending 40k, I want something with more than 200hp 180lb/ft. For the money, BMW offers no value.

Regarding the handling and all that, your going to tell me a BMW 3 series is that much better than its competition (G37, A4) when your driving it on the street? Your paying for the name and marketing.

Sometimes BMW runs promos with massive incentives.  There is a 2010 328i that has a $15K off sticker at a local BMW store. 

As far as value for money it all depends on what you value.  If you spend 2 weeks driving a 3 series and 2 weeks driving a G or A4 you'll notice a difference dynamically but the 3 series won't be as well equiped inside so if that's what you value brands like Acura are hard to beat. 

On a side note hp figures are sometimes under rated by BMW as C&D tested the 230hp 328 and got 0-60 in 5.9s which is quicker than many cars with 250-300hp on the market today (even taking into account hp and tq curves, gearing, weight etc).

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Sometimes BMW runs promos with massive incentives.  There is a 2010 328i that has a $15K off sticker at a local BMW store. 

As far as value for money it all depends on what you value.  If you spend 2 weeks driving a 3 series and 2 weeks driving a G or A4 you'll notice a difference dynamically but the 3 series won't be as well equiped inside so if that's what you value brands like Acura are hard to beat. 

On a side note hp figures are sometimes under rated by BMW as C&D tested the 230hp 328 and got 0-60 in 5.9s which is quicker than many cars with 250-300hp on the market today (even taking into account hp and tq curves, gearing, weight etc).

Link? The only road test on C&D I could find had the 328i wagon doing 0-60 in 6.8.

[huota]

I think now is a good time to pick up a 330i while BMW still make a NA I6. They won't be available for much longer (as a new or low mileage used car anyway.

[vdk]

Sometimes BMW runs promos with massive incentives.  There is a 2010 328i that has a $15K off sticker at a local BMW store. 

As far as value for money it all depends on what you value.  If you spend 2 weeks driving a 3 series and 2 weeks driving a G or A4 you'll notice a difference dynamically but the 3 series won't be as well equiped inside so if that's what you value brands like Acura are hard to beat. 

On a side note hp figures are sometimes under rated by BMW as C&D tested the 230hp 328 and got 0-60 in 5.9s which is quicker than many cars with 250-300hp on the market today (even taking into account hp and tq curves, gearing, weight etc).

Link? The only road test on C&D I could find had the 328i wagon doing 0-60 in 6.8.

Edmunds: "We recorded a brisk 0-60-mph sprint of 6.4 seconds en route to a quarter-mile time of 14.6 seconds at 94.7 mph."

[Flinter]

Sometimes BMW runs promos with massive incentives.  There is a 2010 328i that has a $15K off sticker at a local BMW store. 

As far as value for money it all depends on what you value.  If you spend 2 weeks driving a 3 series and 2 weeks driving a G or A4 you'll notice a difference dynamically but the 3 series won't be as well equiped inside so if that's what you value brands like Acura are hard to beat. 

On a side note hp figures are sometimes under rated by BMW as C&D tested the 230hp 328 and got 0-60 in 5.9s which is quicker than many cars with 250-300hp on the market today (even taking into account hp and tq curves, gearing, weight etc).

Link? The only road test on C&D I could find had the 328i wagon doing 0-60 in 6.8.

Edmunds: "We recorded a brisk 0-60-mph sprint of 6.4 seconds en route to a quarter-mile time of 14.6 seconds at 94.7 mph."

Here it is:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/2009_infiniti_g37_vs._bmw_328i_audi_a4_and_acura_tl-comparison_tests

See attachment below for acceleration test summary.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Here is is:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/2009_infiniti_g37_vs._bmw_328i_audi_a4_and_acura_tl-comparison_tests

See attachment below for acceleration test summary.

Thanks!

[TopGun]

^^NOBODY'S shifter is as nice as Acura....

I'd put Mazda's up against them.

[que]

Fair enough, statement retracted on the "enthusiast" bit.  There are only limited true enthusiast that still exist, we should just get along.

Yes your right Volvo brought out the I6 transverse mounted so over 60% of the weight hangs on the front wheels.  Must be nice!

Yes I agree Honda/Acura makes great shifter as well as great cars, once again another brand who puts feel and handling on the top of the list. Hence why BMW and Honda are the only brands I turn too.

Yes BMWs have been getting heavier and the feel is getting a bit lost with electric steering, to accommodate the auto parking folks, plus its a bit better on efficiency, which leads to more reason to pick up one of these classic cars like this E90.

I think one person wrote, time to buy a used 330i in 2006, as it may be the last time you can get a NA I6 with a manual transmission, and RWD.  You got my vote Sir!

[chrischasescars]

Added a bit to this review. A reader pointed out that BMW extended warranty coverage to 10 years/120,000 mi. in the U.S. for the fuel pump problem in turbo cars. I'm waiting on a call back from BMW Canada to confirm whether this applies in Canada.

[TopGun]

Fair enough, statement retracted on the "enthusiast" bit.  There are only limited true enthusiast that still exist, we should just get along.

Yes your right Volvo brought out the I6 transverse mounted so over 60% of the weight hangs on the front wheels.  Must be nice!

.....

Exactly ONE out of 18 BMW CPO sedans at Budds BMW Oakville is a stick...so glad you retracted the enthusiast bit.

Who cares how much weight hangs over the front wheels...or what wheels are driven.  Minis are a blast to drive.